Meet Jeff Schader | CEO & Creative Director of The Skins Factory

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jeff Schader and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jeff, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I was running a division at a digital audio company that designed skins for media players so that record labels (and other companies) could promote their recording artists using these custom, branded desktop media players. As the Art Director and Project Manager, I not only managed the projects but also played a role in business development to secure new clients. On December 18, 2000, when the company failed to pay me 3 paychecks in a row, I decided to strike out on my own. With $6000 in my bank account and a credit card I started The Skins Factory.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Our design studio specializes in UI/UX design, focusing on creating visually appealing graphics and optimizing user experiences for various desktop, browser and mobile applications.

Over the past 23 years, we’ve had the privilege of working on a wide range of projects, including designing Disney’s online music store and developing Windows Media Player skins and Sidebar Gadgets that shipped on Windows OS to over a billion people worldwide.

Our expertise extends to industries such as enterprise, healthcare, real estate, fintech, cybersecurity and many more industries. With our extensive experience, we have tackled numerous design challenges and are well-equipped to handle any project that comes our way.

I’m passionate about what I do and I haven’t lost that passion in the two decades I’ve been doing it. To me, that’s success. I speak in depth on a blog post. https://www.theskinsfactory.com/uiux-design-blog/the-origin-of-a-ux-design-studio

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
In my 47 years of living in South Florida, I have had the pleasure of experiencing a wide range of South Florida restaurants. Here is a couple of exceptional restaurants that have truly left a lasting impression on me.

Firstly, in Miami, Divieto in Doral stands out as a true gem. This gourmet Italian restaurant exudes an authentic atmosphere reminiscent of the glorious 1920s. Having dined there numerous times (over 30x), I can attest to its consistently exceptional quality and service.

Moving towards Fort Lauderdale Beach, Takato at the Conrad Hotel holds a special place in my heart as one of my all-time favorites. Combining Japanese and Korean flavors into an exquisite fusion cuisine, Takato never fails to amaze me. And let’s not forget about their sake selection – it is simply unparalleled. Try the Drunken Whale cold sake. You’ll thank me later.

Both Divieto and Takato boast unparalleled ambiance, impeccable service, and extraordinary culinary creations that will leave you speechless. These dining experiences are truly outstanding and are worth every moment spent in their establishments.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The CEO of the digital audio company I mentioned really taught me a lot. His insights on navigating business dealings were invaluable, but perhaps even more impactful were the lessons learned from his leadership failures within that organization. In many ways, studying the missteps of others can be more enlightening than simply receiving positive guidance.

Website: https://www.theskinsfactory.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeffschader/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theskinsfactory/

Other: The Blog Post on how I started The Skins Factory: https://www.theskinsfactory.com/uiux-design-blog/the-origin-of-a-ux-design-studio